‘Democracy With Tibetan Characteristics’ – A Response to Norbu Samphel

posted Mar 23, 2011, 5:49 PM by The Tibetan Political Review

By Tenzin Nyinje

Sept. 18, 2010 - Norbu Samphel’s twisted democracy is indeed ‘unique!’ He
advocates a sort of ‘people’s democratic dictatorship,’ wherein doubts and
criticisms have no place. His democracy with ‘Tibetan characteristics’
disapproves of any Tibetan (young and old) asking questions and disagreeing
strongly with our leaders! In short, to him democracy entails submission,
conformity and faith driven more by religion than reason!

Norbu Samphel’s response to Jamyang Norbu’s article Dangerous Liaison is but a deep-seated
resentment against, and strong rejection of, the spirit of independence and
enquiry young Tibetans display in their lives. As can be seen from the
conclusion of his article, the main thesis is this: Tibetan Youth Congress or
for that matter any young Tibetan who strongly feels for an independent Tibet
should renounce their aspiration and strive for a solution within the
‘framework of Chinese constitution!’ In plain words, according to him, Rangzen seekers are the real
troublemakers - the ones who impede the blossoming of unity among exile
Tibetans. They are the ones who stand in the way of a successful negotiation
with the Chinese leadership!

I have listened toKalon
Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s speech that Jamyang Norbu referred
to in his article several times. There is no doubt that Norbu Samphel failed to
grasp the full import of the speech.

It appears that our respected PM is worried about what he
imagines to be the increasing ‘radicalization and dogmatism’ amongst some of
the young Rangzen activists.
While such an anxiety may be understandable – after all a dogmatic pursuit of
any goal is the surest means of self-destruction – Rinpoche made a terrible faux
pas by asserting that these hardcore Rangzen seekers are more dangerous than Chinese communists
or Shugden practitioners! Such a
comment from the holder of the highest political office of exile government –
and strongly supported by Norbu Samphel -- has serious implications and will
further widen the already existing gulf between Ume-lam and Rangzen
protagonists.

After all, this comment is a classic case of enemy
designation! It could even potentially threaten the lives of Rangzen seekers, for they are more
‘dangerous than the Chinese communists and Shugden
practitioners!’ Who knows some of the dogmatic and radical Middle Path
activists are already scouring the streets of Mcloed Ganj, looking for these
‘dangerous enemies!’

Indeed, one of the time tested tactics often employed by
political elites – politicians, bureaucrats, establishment intellectuals,
journalists etc. – to control people in any given society is to invoke the fear
of the ‘enemy’ on the other side of the fence! And this is exactly what Norbu
Samphel does in the beginning of his article when he said "it is a
dangerous piece of writing for Tibetan Unity (no wonder his unity is in upper
case!) and a gift to Chinese leadership. They could use it again against His
Holiness.”

By invoking the fear of the Chinese, who doesn’t need any
excuses to undermine our struggle, Samphel is thus gagging free thought and
free speech in our society. And that’s what the Chinese exactly wants – a
backpedalling on Tibetan democracy!

Norbu Samphel is intrigued by what he calls as ‘a shift in
the TYC’s way of doing things in relation to His Holiness’, a clear
demonstration of his lack of knowledge (or perhaps amnesia) about the history
of our struggle in the last more than fifty years.

Let me set the record straight here. Mr. Norbu Samphel,
there has never been a ‘shift in TYC’s way of doing things.’ TYC then and still
fights for Tibetan independence, through purely non-violent means. TYC doesn’t
agree with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle Way Approach of seeking genuine
autonomy. But that doesn’t means TYC or for that matter any young Tibetan who
believes in independence has lost faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama as our
leader.

It’s a simple exercise of democratic freedom, of holding a
different opinion, something that seems to have no place in Norbu Samphel’s
‘democracy with Tibetan characteristics!'